Derby hero Pour Moi heads off on secondment to Haras de Cercy

Pour Moi – a Derby hero and sire of another winner of the Epsom Classic in Wings Of Eagles – will stand at Haras de Cercy in central France next year.

The 11-year-old is best remembered for landing the Derby with jockey Mickael Barzalona standing bolt upright in the saddle as the colt passed the post.

He was initially retired to stand in a Flat capacity at Coolmore and his second crop yielded Wings Of Eagles, successful in the Blue Riband six years after his sire.

Pour Moi's other European progeny include Group 3-winning sprinter Only Mine and Listed scorers Diamonds Pour Moi and Freedom Beel.

The stallion was switched to the Coolmore National Hunt roster when he joined Grange Stud in 2017 and his progeny have proved adept over jumps.

He is the source of 14 winners from 53 runners in the National Hunt sphere in Britain and Ireland, including the useful Coeur De Lion and the Grade 2-placed Look My Way.

This year Pour Moi was joined as a Coolmore National Hunt stallion by Wings Of Eagles, who switched to Beeches Stud after one season at Haras de Montaigu.

Wings Of Eagles covered 235 mares in 2019, compared with 53 for Pour Moi.

Haras de Cercy's Andree Cypres said: “We have signed the contract and are very happy to collaborate with the Coolmore team in standing Pour Moi. He should arrive around mid-November.

“The way he won the Derby was phenomenal and we're always looking for new bloodlines, and were particularly keen on having a son of Montjeu, who has proved to be such a positive influence in jumps breeding.

“He will certainly suit many breeders here.”

Montjeu has indeed made a big impact on jumps breeding in recent years. As well as being sire of legendary hurdler Hurricane Fly himself, his sons Authorized, Camelot, Davidoff, Fame And Glory, Jukebox Jury, Montmartre, Motivator, Scorpion and Walk In The Park have all delivered Grade 1 winners.

Pour Moi was bred by Lynch Bages out of the Darshaan mare Gwynn, who has also produced stakes winners Gagnoa and Kissed and hails from a family rich in Group 1 winners including Lammtarra and dam Snow Bride plus siblings Bosra Sham, Hector Protector and Shanghai.

Pour Moi will stand at a fee of €3,500 for outside breeders and €3,000 for those who are members of the Cercy co-operative.

Cercy stood the busiest sire in France this year, Cokoriko, who covered 211 mares.

In total, the stud welcomed more than 730 mares through its gates in 2019, believed to be a record for a French stud.

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